CO129-018 - Others - 1846 — Page 498

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ment at Pekin, and a minute examination of the occurrences in China during the last few years, will lead to the conclusion that, although the people, especially those of the northern and central provinces, are not adverse to us, but, on the contrary, are eager to trade with us, accord- ing to the extent of their meena, yet that their Tartar rulers view us with alarm and fear, are anxiously desirous of keeping us at the very extreme part of the empire, and would gladly adopt aay means, either of fraud or force, which raight secure var entire expulsion from China *. This is quite natural, when we consider that a mere handial of semi- barbarians, but brave and crafty men, bold sway over three hundred millions of people, whose varied and ancient dynasties they, as con- querors, have displacet, and who oust feel that, notwithstanding two centuries of occupation and imperial despotista, they are still an isolates! race among myriads who submit by compulsion to their sway, as they would to that of any other foreign power, but who, nevertheless, anxiously hope for the restoration of a sovereign of Chinese origin, identified with the inhabitants by all those strong but indescribable ties which characterize persons of the same blood, lineage, and nation t

On the 12th October, 1042, very shortly after the signing of the treaty of Naukia, an imperial decree was issued from Pokin, respecting "the extermination of native traitore," c., of all who had in any manter assisted or countensured the English during the war. The plans for their destruction, or police supervision, are laid down in thie document, and they are a clear violation of the treaty of Nankin. The document fully evinces also the readiness of the Chinese Government to break any agreement which it night suit their policy to adopt.

The functions of the most petly mindaris, and the detion of the Imperial Cabinet at Pekin, are equally interwoven with intrigue, which constitutes the every day business and pleasure of official life in China. Since the treaty of Nunkin, it has been seriously discusand in the cabinet at Pekin, whether the time was propi- tions for breaking with the English. Dr. Gutzlaff states that the majority of the cabinet were in favour of an immediate rupture, which was only prevented by the saracions Emperor requiring the helligerent ministers to raise the required feries, to head them, and to leave their wives and children as hostages for the success the

› proposed measure. It has boon traly stated to Lord Aberdeen, in an official mengerandu, dated China, 22nd November, 1844, that “one uniform course has always been pursued by the Chinese Government towards foreign slates if eronchingly submissive, contempt and contumely; it resisting, arrogance; if vic- torious, perfidy. There are no exceptions to this policy." We have, in fact, no real security for peace, but the possession of an island Eke Chusan, which is the key of China; as an efficient means of preventing war, our possession of dis islandi is of the ntnost valge to the Chinese themselves.

The following observations are in illustration of this :--On the commSING- ment of our war with the Government of Chins, the greatest persona! hatred was expressed

cabinet, with gunst us by the Tartare: but the Chinese party in the Pekin Swanshegan at their bead, were silent. Sis Borcha before the treaty of Naukin, whoever dared to speak of peace was deemed worthy of death Keshen (a Tartar) was considered to have sold his Government, and declared & traitur

Lun, for his opposition to ux, was viewed as a great patriot-as the guardian patriot of the country, whem the Government at Pekin believed capa ble of deciding the great national question with the sword. There was general regret at his degradative; and his restoration to high power is now hoped for.

tat Governor Lin iu a theruorial to the Emperor, said if we were allowed to settle bear the contral districts of Chins, the poorer classes would join us. The Government itself stopped all maritime Trade, in order to starve the harbarians." Yupon- Yuan, a generalissino, urged the extermination of the barbarians; but Elecpoo, subsequently his colleague in the Nankin Commaission, with a foresight of the Gan- ger the Tartars were exposed toy strongly advised his sovereign never tu give to

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